Zebra Technologies’ senior regional sales manager for India and the Subcontinent, Thiruppathi Subramaniam, told the media that Indian retailers are using artificial intelligence and real-time data solutions to exceed consumer expectations, increase sales, and prevent stockouts.
“If we’re going to a large supermarket during peak hours, chances are a few items may be missing because a previous customer picked them up. Now, with cameras monitoring shelves, the system can do auto shelf fulfilment, reorder from the back end, and even check the backroom. This means I’m upselling faster than ever,” said Subramaniam.
Indian merchants are expressing a strong need for real-time visibility and automation throughout the whole retail chain, according to Zebra Technologies, a US-based provider of real-time data and automation solutions. Many retailers are searching for technology that might make their operations more efficient and intelligent, from shelves to warehouses to delivery.
Retail staff, for example, are being equipped with mobile devices to make their jobs easier and more efficient. “Our mobile devices help staff do everything — scan a barcode, check if an item is in stock, find where it is. If they can’t find it, they can call the supervisor. If it’s not on the shelf, they can check if it is in the backroom. All in one device,” he said. India is one of Zebra’s fastest-growing and most strategic markets globally.
“India is the fastest-growing market in APAC, and we see tremendous growth potential here,” he said. “The retail sector is evolving rapidly, with the convergence of brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce, and quick commerce.”
With AI-driven solutions, Zebra Technologies is aggressively tackling these shifts, especially in the retail industry. Quick commerce, in which goods are delivered in less than ten minutes, is on the rise in India’s retail scene, Subramaniam noted. This calls for visibility and real-time data solutions, which Zebra is offering to important industry participants. He pointed out that, “We are partnering very closely with e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms to offer visibility solutions, which are crucial for the growth of retail in India.”
Retailers are thus spending money on new technologies in order to respond more quickly and provide better customer service. “We are seeing huge interest in handheld devices, wearables, RFID, electronic shelf labels, and fixed industrial scanners. These are already being used by some of the top five retailers in India,” he said.
Additionally, AI is increasing Zebra’s internal operations’ efficiency. Subramaniam noted that although cost reduction is not the main goal, AI is promoting increased productivity. “It’s about being more real-time and efficient,” he said. Frontline employees are also the focus of the company’s AI suite, which includes wearable technology and voice-picking tools to improve efficiency and expedite processes.
Zebra’s innovation is being accelerated by its research and development activities in India. The business recently built a bigger R&D center in Bangalore that can now accommodate more than 1,400 engineers. Subramaniam emphasized that Indian engineers are involved in the design and specification phases of every product Zebra releases. “Our Bangalore team is integral to Zebra’s global product development process,” he said.
In the future, Zebra anticipates great potential in India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. These areas are expanding quickly, according to Subramaniam, and industry and retail investments are rising. “Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are no longer just supplementary to metros. They are now central to our growth strategy in India,” he said.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
